&#x201C;In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, a coordinated international response is needed to deal with weaknesses in the world economy and the new risks in the outlook,&#x201D; IMF Managing Director Horst K&#x00F6;hler said in a statement issued on October 5. He added that &#x201C;the IMF, its 183 member countries, and the international community more generally will need to respond with sound policies to reduce the likelihood of a sustained slowdown and make sure we are ready to deal with a deeper and longer downturn if it does emerge&#x2014;thereby limiting the disruption and attendant human costs.&#x201D; Excerpts from K&#x00F6;hler&#x2019;s statement follow.